“A loan deal could have been done at the last minute,” the Ivory Coast international told L’Equipe. “However, I want to finish third [in Ligue 1], prepare for the World Cup and go to the Stade de France to compete in the Coupe de France final.”

However, it appears he does not expect to stay with his current side beyond the summer.

Asked if he expected this to be his final season with Lille, he said: “I think so, yes. LOSC have given me the chance to play every weekend and have given me a lot professionally and personally [but] there may be other opportunities now to achieve other goals.”